Mayor Quan launches a new initiative aimed to eliminate disparities in internet broadband access

Eliminating the “Digital Divide” plays a pivotal role in the educational and career success of young people and helps seniors stay connected and avoid isolation. Through broadband connection people can enhance their education experience; strengthen job performance; obtain access to social and healthcare services; utilize government services; succeed in starting up and running a business; find relevant news and information; buy needed products and services; enhance lifestyle and entertainment options.

This morning, Mayor Quan officially launched Get Connected Oakland!, a citywide initiative to eliminate the digital divide throughout the city by making it as simple as possible for everyone to have broadband Internet access along with training and tech support. According to the California Emerging Technology Fund, in 2011, 30% of all Californians, 51% of low-income households, 50% of Latino families, and 45% of people with disabilities are not connected to the Internet with broadband, leaving more than 10 million Californians without high-speed Internet access at home.

At the press conference, Mayor Quan presented a proclamation re-enforcing the City’s commitment to eliminating the digital divide and making it as simple as possible for Oakland residents to have computer access as a vital component to the economic prosperity and quality of life for all Oakland residents.

At the launch, Mayor Quan also announced Oakland’s “Digital Bill of Rights”

In Oakland we are dedicated to equality of access and equality of opportunity in these ways:

• • Equal access to computers and the Internet for all residents, regardless of economic status.
  • Education and training classes for all residents to make them literate and productive users of technology.
  • A support system to keep the digital divide from returning.

The City has already engaged in a wide variety of activities to improve access including upgraded library access, over twenty new computer centers for our youth in the Oakland Park and Recreation Centers, dozens of free wi-fi hotspots and more. A new website has been launched to help coordinate the campaign and provide information.

About Get Connected Oakland!
Get Connected Oakland! is affiliated with the California Emerging Technology Fund statewide Get Connected! Initiative. The Organizing Committee for Get Connected Oakland! is Co-Chaired by Bruce Buckelew (OTX West); David Glover (OCCUR); and Joe Gross (Sustainable Systems/California Emerging Technology Fund).

In addition to partnering with the Office of the Mayor, Oakland Housing Authority and Oakland Unified School District, Get Connected Oakland! is partnering with the Alameda County District Attorney/Alameda County Family Justice Center; Alameda County Department of Social Services/General Assistance/CalWorks/Foster Youth; Alameda County Office of Education; Oakland Digital Arts and Literacy Center; Oakland Parks and Recreation; Oakland Public Library; and Santa Rita Jail/Educational Services.

Also joining the Mayor at the press conference:

Nancy O’Malley, District Attorney & Founder of Alameda County Family Justice Center
Ashley McCullough, West Coast Children’s Clinic/Youth Adult Partnership
Ellen Muhammad, Coordinator, Senior Digital Inclusion Project
Noel Gallo, Director, District 5, Oakland Unified School District
Roma Groves, Principal, Martin Luther King Elementary
Eric Johnson, Oakland Housing Authority